beyond reports on the arrival of Ilkley Motor Company to a prestigious new site in the town centre and how they are bringing back the good times to a garage that has been home to car sales for over 60 years.

Back in the 60s, a man by the name of Jack Tordoff decided to open a Fiat car showroom on Skipton Road in Ilkley.

Alongside his site on Sticker Lane in Bradford, it was a significant step on Jack’s journey to build his JCT600 empire into one of the most successful car dealerships in the country.

Tordoff saw the Ilkley site as the perfect location to expand his flourishing motoring trade and the ideal spot to attract customers looking to purchase a new car and for nearly 20 years it became one of Wharfedale’s most popular garages.

But now, 60 years after Jack sold his first Fiat on the same forecourt, one of Ilkley’s most established car dealerships has bought the site in a bid to continue serving the people of Ilkley and beyond.

Ilkley Motor Company, which was previously located on Little Lane has now moved to the Skipton Road site and having worked tirelessly to renovate the buildings and forecourt, they are now open for business and ready to welcome customers through the door. 

Having bought the old Andrew Green site earlier this year, it was a location that new owner David Graves, who has run Ilkley Motor Company for the past 17 years, was determined to retain as a car dealership for the people of Ilkley, and after an extensive refurbishment he is delighted to be finally up and running.

Speaking about the acquisition of the garage, David said: “We are thrilled to have obtained such an iconic site in Ilkley that holds so many memories for so many people and we are looking forward to continuing the legacy left by Jack Tordoff and Andrew Green before us.”

Having spent a lifetime in the motor industry, David, who has lived in Ilkley for the past 25 years prides himself on not only buying and selling cars but also sourcing specific vehicles for everybody from first-time buyers to collectors of prestige vintage cars.

Talking about the business, David says: “We do so much more than just sell cars and thanks to our years in the industry, we are able to successfully find vehicles for our customers utilising our car trade knowledge and vast number of contacts.

“Ilkley is a small friendly town and I always wanted to provide a car showroom with a difference and not just a ‘regular dealership’ showroom where salespeople who have no real interest in their customers are purely chasing targets.

“It is that attention to detail and personal service that makes us stand out and we never buy cars from an auction that we haven’t seen which means everybody who buys a car from us, does so safe in the knowledge we have seen it first hand and they are buying from somebody who cares.

“Having lived here for so long I am fully invested in the community and I’m delighted to be able to offer people an opportunity to shop locally for their next car at our new home which holds a lot of memories for so many people.

“Providing good service and a reliable follow-up aftercare is hugely reassuring to customers and we pride ourselves on not just selling cars but delivering a hassle-free experience from start to finish.”

The new roadside site with expansive forecourt will allow David to showcase an even greater number of cars and is the perfect spot to attract customers coming in and out of the town centre.

David added: “I want to make it a place that provides a warm welcome to everybody who comes in and whether you are looking to buy a car, sell your old one or part exchange, the door is always open to come in and have a chat.”

And in a day and age when the trend for buying cars from a local dealer has returned, David is confident that if you’re selling your car he’ll be able to beat any online price you are given due to the demand he has from customers.

He said: “We are always on the lookout for cars and if you are thinking of selling, pop down and see me first because I’m convinced I’ll be able to give you a better price than any online quotes. The kettle in our new showroom is always on and we are here for a friendly chat or any advice you need.”

Ilkley Motor Company, Middleton Road, Ilkley LS29 9EX
T: 01943 607111 / 01943 608733
Mobile: 07787516637 
W: ilkleymotorcompany.co.uk